Royal Jelly: Fit For A Queen

The Forms And Benefits Of Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is one of the hottest ingredients on the market today. It is sold as capsules, infused in honey and included in many cosmetic creams and lotions. There are claims for royal jelly ranging from healing broken bones and treating skin disorders, to eliminating fatigue and liver diseases. Cosmetically, it is said to tighten the skin, producing an instant “face lift” effect, and fights the signs of aging. While scientists agree that more studies are needed to evaluate all of the purported properties of royal jelly, it can be a valuable addition to the diet and skincare regimen.

What is Royal Jelly?Royal jelly is a secretion from nurse honeybees that is fed to all bee larvae at the very beginning of their lives. When a queen is needed for the hive, that larva is fed only royal jelly throughout her life. This is the only difference between a queen bee and a regular bee, and the effect on the queen is striking. She is much bigger and more robust than other bees; while their life spans are usually 35-45 days, the queen can live up to six years. She is fertilized once, and then can lay as many as 3,000 eggs per day for the rest of her life. These differences are what have caused the surge in interest in the properties of royal jelly and prompted many manufacturers to start producing products that contain royal jelly as a main ingredient.

Royal jelly is produced commercially by using beehives with moveable frames that stimulate the hive’s need for a queen. When a queen is being produced, the royal jelly is stored in the hive so that there is always a supply on hand.

This supply of royal jelly is then removed from the hive and used in a variety of products. One hive can usually produce 500g of royal jelly in about six months. Because it is very perishable, it is often combined with a preserving agent such as honey, or freeze-dried so that it doesn’t spoil before reaching the consumer.

Properties of Royal JellyStudies of the properties of natural royal jelly have shown that it does contain many ingredients that may help with certain medical conditions. It is comprised of proteins, sugars, lipids, and other trace vitamins and hormones that may help in cell regeneration. It also contains an antibacterial protein that Japanese researchers documented in a 1990 edition of the Journal of Biological Chemistry and named royalisin. This protein is full of amino acids and is said to be effective against “Gram-positive” bacteria, which includes some staph and strep forms. The Japanese researchers also uncovered evidence that royal jelly may have anti-tumor properties and may one day have a role in treating some forms of cancer.

Studies indicate that some of the benefits of royal jelly include: treating fatigue, kidney and liver diseases, bronchial asthma, ovarian problems, skin disorders, rejuvenation of the central nervous system, and accelerating the healing of broken bones. The cosmetic benefits of royal jelly are reported to be a tightening effect of the skin, and that it works to combat free radicals to reduce the signs of aging.

Capsules, Honey, and CreamsThere are many ways to incorporate royal jelly into both your diet and your skincare routine. Pure royal jelly can be purchased directly through manufacturers on the Internet or at many health food stores. Because it is highly perishable, it is most often seen as royal jelly capsules where it is combined with honey and wheatgerm oil in order to preserve it. It can also be freeze dried to remove the water and inserted into capsules that are easy to store and to swallow. Most people take between 500 mg and 3,000mg of royal jelly every day as a dietary supplement.

Royal jelly can also be infused into honey and taken by the teaspoonful twice a day. Many people find this a more pleasant way to incorporate royal jelly into the diet. Several companies also make a complex that includes royal jelly along with bee pollen, propolis (a resin used in making the hive which is thought to have antibacterial properties) and ginseng in a raw honey base which is said to have the benefits of royal jelly as well as increasing energy. In addition to the properties of royal jelly, honey is said to be an antimicrobial agent and contains many of the same vitamins and antioxidants. Plus, it is nature’s favorite sweetener.

In addition to ingesting royal jelly as part of a healthy diet, royal jelly cream is often used as part of a skincare routine to improve the skin’s appearance and reduce the signs of aging.

Royal jelly is most often combined with vitamin E as an antioxidant cream that can combat free radicals in the atmosphere. In addition to protecting the skin, it has a tightening effect that refines the surface and can help minimize the appearance of pores.

Quality and CautionsIt is important to be sure that you are buying quality royal jelly. The fatty acid 10-HDA has been established as the universal standard for quality in royal jelly. In nature, royal jelly has between 1.5% and 2.2% of 10-HDA fatty acid. Fresh royal jelly must have a percentage of 10-HDA in order to be considered high quality. Any reputable distributor should be able to produce a certificate of analysis from an independent laboratory to show that they are dealing with only the finest product.

Just as honey is not safe to give infants and young children, royal jelly should not be given to babies or pregnant women. Honey contains spores that can cause botulism in immature digestive systems, and these may be present in royal jelly as well. Because royal jelly is made from pollen, people who are allergic to bee pollen can develop anaphylactic shock. Anyone with a history of these types of allergies should not take royal jelly as a supplement. The dangers for taking it during pregnancy are unclear, but several medical sources suggest that because of the dangers of developing a life-threatening allergy while taking royal jelly, it is best to avoid supplements during pregnancy, or at the very least, consult your doctor.

The caution for pregnant women only applies to royal jelly use as a supplement; it does not apply to royal jelly creams or cosmetics.

Royal jelly continues to have a loyal following both in the health food and cosmetics industries. Because the ingredients and the effects of royal jelly are still being researched, you will continue to see reports on royal jelly either as a dietary supplement or as part of a skin care regimen. While caution must be taken when ingesting royal jelly capsules or honey, for most people the possible benefits make this a good addition to your total health care. Whether you are looking for firmer skin that is protected from the aging environment, or something to help manage a health problem, royal jelly in one of its many forms may be the treatment for you.

Always Consult Your Physician FirstIt is helpful to prepare yourself with health information by reading and talking to friends, but always consult your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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